Emma Dolan vs Nicola Hopewell was originally scheduled to be the co-main event on GBM Sports’ Clash On The Court show, preceding Reece Mould and Martin McDonagh’s bout for the WBA Lightweight Continental title.
However, on the morning of the event, GBM Sports announced that McDonagh had to withdraw “Due to medical issues not being signed off by the BBBofC”, promoting Dolan vs Hopewell to the show’s headliner.
Whilst the circumstances are unfortunate, Dolan vs Hopewell did not disappoint as the main event of the evening.
On Friday 6th October at the brand-new Community Park Arena in Sheffield, Dolan vs Hopewell had much of the audience up in their seats throughout the fight.
Hopewell, as she’s known for, came out fast off the first bell, throwing a flurry of shots at Dolan, and rattling her a few times. Gradually, Dolan built into the fight and started to answer Hopewell’s combinations. The first round was close, with both fighters having their moments.
For the next couple of rounds, Dolan started to force the pace. She played it safe when Hopewell attacked, creating space between them, and used her long arms to pick Hopewell off with her shots. Dolan took the next couple of rounds.
In the break after round 3, IBF World Champion Ebanie Bridges, who sponsors and is good friends with Hopewell, went over to her corner. Having proved that she can handle hot water situations many times herself, Bridges appeared to both comfort and offer tactical advice to her friend, demonstrating shot combinations through the ropes.
When the bell rang again for the fourth round, Hopewell seemed to have picked up a second wind, as if she hadn’t just done 3 rounds and amped up the aggression.
For the rest of the fight, Hopewell showed true heart, chasing Dolan around the ring and biting down when she caught her to land a succession of shots. However, Dolan had now found her flow and maintained control of the fight.
Dolan kept the fight mostly at range, showing impressive footwork to escape Hopewell’s attempts to get close. When Hopewell did catch her, the two went to war on the inside, relentlessly landing hooks at each other’s bodies, which had the crowd roaring.
In the end, the fight went the full 10 rounds and Dolan deservedly won by unanimous decision. The judges awarded 98-93, 98-92, and 99-91 all in favour of Dolan.
Both ladies deserve a huge amount of respect following the fight. Dolan has stated in interviews that Hopewell was a voluntary defence, and that she could have chosen an easier opponent. Instead, she wanted the test in pursuit of world titles.
Dolan is originally from Norwich and only moved to Newark a year ago. She put her belt on the line in Hopewell’s home city, performing in the away corner with most of the audience routing against her.
Meanwhile, Hopewell has to be applauded for going after her first professional title in only her fourth contest. Dolan has a top amateur background, yet Hopewell seized the opportunity with both hands to give her fans an exciting fight.
Hopewell took the champion the distance, in her first 10 round fight, still proving that she’s a serious threat to the division and not someone to be overlooked. Hopewell will be back.
Ultimately, both Dolan and Hopewell could have taken easier routes. In a sport notorious for fighters ducking each other, and fights that fans want to see rarely coming to fruition, this fight was special. This fight was a win for women’s boxing.